There are two ways to reduce cancer risk. First, get your routine medical screenings so cancer can be detected early enough to be treated or cured. Second, make changes in your daily lifestyle that can help reduce your cancer risk.
Best Practices
Discovering cancer in its early stages is important. To do this, schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, who may recommend cancer screenings based on your age, gender, and family history. Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center recommends routine screenings as the best way to identify risk. Recommended preventive screenings specific for your age and gender are available on your Health Advisor in the Health & Wellness Information Portal.
Lifestyle choices can reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer and strengthen your health, those include:
- Don't use tobacco products. Using tobacco increases your risk for all types of cancer.
- Protect yourself from the UV rays of the sun by staying in the shade, wearing hats, protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Eliminate or limit your alcohol consumption. A woman should drink no more than one drink a day. A man should drink no more than two drinks a day. A drink equals 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor.
- Get moving. 30 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity 5 or more days of the week.
- Eat healthy. Focus on plant foods and foods high in fiber, including a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grains in bread, cereal, rice, and pasta.
- Limit the amount of red meat you eat. Avoid processed meat.
- Reach or maintain a healthy body weight.
How we can help:
Health Plus and Occupational Health are here to support you with treatment and counseling services if you desire to become tobacco-free. Contact Quit Rx at 615-936-0955 to make an appointment.
Additional Information
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
American Cancer Society: Cancer Prevention
Keywords: Cancer Detection, Cancer Screening, Preventing Cancer
